Fantastic Four: First Step is a movie that is all in lower case

It's hard to explain. No excessive yelling, no needlessly loud music, everyone seems calm even when they are faced with big implications.

It's a very soothing movie.

Well, apart from Sue saying "Kill him!" but totally fair on her part.

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Commentaires

Basement_Pig2025-12-29 08:11

That is very good way of putting it. It *was* in all lower case. Also, and I know this sounds crazy, but I didn’t feel as invested because I knew this fictional universe wasn’t *the main* fictional universe. Is it just me?

Teliporter3342025-12-29 08:16

By that logic you shouldn’t even be invested in the MCU movies because they aren’t the *main* fictional universe either.

The main fictional Marvel universe is, and always will be, the Marvel Comics 616 universe.

Basement_Pig2025-12-29 08:26

I know! It doesn’t make sense! But the 616 (we all know MCU is 19999) is its own thing and it will never be in danger of being put into live action. It’s too insane.

CommunityHot92192025-12-29 10:29

>we all know MCU is 19999

Why do you weirdos persist with this delusion? The MCU is canonically called 616. The comics are neither here nor there. The 19999 designation is gone. Nobody misses it or even knew it existed except for a small handful of superfans not even Marvel Studios cares about.

The MCU is a separate multiverse. It's not linked to the comics. Both are "616". It's not confusing.

Realistic_Analyst_262025-12-29 12:03

It doesn’t matter. Whether it’s 616 or 199999, the context will make it clear that you are talking about the MCU. It’s literally like Bob vs Robert. They are the same exact thing only people have preference in the numbers and that is ok. You are so unnecessarily hostile about something so minuscule and insignificant.

Basement_Pig2025-12-29 17:43

You answered your question: I’m a weirdo.

(But seriously that whole response was tongue in cheek. I am an older fella and this is starting to sound like the nerd debates of yore like Kirk vs Picard. I honestly don’t give two shits what numbers ppl use I got bill to pay.)

BLAGTIER2025-12-29 12:58

> The main fictional Marvel universe is, and always will be, the Marvel Comics 616 universe.

The MCU has replaced the comic universe as the main Marvel universe for the general public.

CharacterActor2025-12-29 08:17

Why wasn’t this set in 616?

Basement_Pig2025-12-29 08:31

Because reasons. If I had to guess, from a writing perspective, it keeps them from having to pen another origin story film. They wanted the FF to already be an established team by the time the movie starts. Also, it gives the writers the freedom to raise the stakes without raising the stakes (616 may not be in danger but this universe is!)

Suspicious-Word-75892025-12-29 09:12

Its consistent with how they wrote the characters whose rights previously sat with Fox, all came from a different universe. The MCU began without any mutants and while it didn't originally have Spider-Man, its way easier to integrate those characters since mutants are effectively an entire subset of humans whose origins go back millennia.

So in order to explain why there were no mutants even though the likes of Wolverine, Prof X, Magneto and Apocalypse had to have been around for most of the Infinity Saga, they just have them appear in different universes.

Realistic_Analyst_262025-12-29 12:01

Several reasons why it wouldn’t work.

1) There are mixed opinions on superheroes in 616 and that distinction is very important

2) 828 is displayed as a “utopia” of sorts which is nothing like 616. With all the shit going on there it would be very difficult to paint the F4 as these perfect heroes

3) 616 is more realistic in the national divisions. 828 made a point of showing how the F4 basically achieved world peace and that’s why they trust each other. Also wouldn’t be able to build those teleportation devices globally without said established peace

WORTHLESS13212020192025-12-29 15:47

For creativity

AnonymousMonk72025-12-29 18:45

A big part of the Fantastic Four's deal is that they are popular and beloved by the public. Instead of the angsty, misunderstood hero, they often serve as the celebrity hero (in contrast to the "Spider-Man: Friend or Foe?" kind fo headlines).

In the main MCU, it doesn't make much sense for them to show up at after all this history and context. They would not be received the same way after the Snap.

(Similarly, the X-Men are not just misunderstood; mutants are hated and feared by a lot of the public. So to introduce them now when they've never been mentioned before will take some creativity.)

BatmanForever232025-12-29 22:01

Can't have the F4 as an established team that everyone knows in 616.

nenyabi2025-12-29 13:18

I had the opposite reaction. I was tired of the main universe, and I liked the change of pace and calmer vibes.

evapotranspire2025-12-29 23:53

Me too, exactly! It was the opposite of frenetic, which I really appreciated. Too many superhero movies have a lot of pointless fights and dumb action without having really resonant moments.

nenyabi2025-12-30 01:20

I agree with every word. I don't immediately dislike action packed movies, but I believe the F4 work better when their intelligence, charisma and resourcefulness get a chance to shine. It felt almost like phase 1, we were just getting to know the characters and while there was action, the movies put a lot more into building the characters themselves.

catchthetams2025-12-30 06:15

Welp, with Doom at the end, it will probably be the main fictional universe going forward though?

Educational-Tea-65722025-12-29 09:12

I like this description. And honestly, I really liked it being so... mellow, I guess? Like, there was conflict; but the fact that the heroes could basically just explain themselves and then get on with doing their thing with the world working together to support them, and also explain themselves to each other and work out the interpersonal conflict peacefully... It was nice to have a change of pace and tone like that. And all of it really drove home for me that this story was set in a different universe than the main MCU universe, which was pretty neat.

Food_Library3332025-12-29 11:42

It's amazing when characters in movies rationally explain themselves and their motivations are clear.

RockHardMapleSyrup2025-12-30 02:57

This is what got me about it, because (as i've been told) I don't communicate normal. My assumption is most people say what they mean, most of the time. Only to learn that most people... don't do that.

Unless everyone who told me that people don't mean what they say, didn't mean what they say. Which is a possibility. It was nice seeing a film where people are like "that's a bad idea". "yeah it's a bad idea, but are there any other ideas" "if you give me time, maybe" "okay, do that" was refreshing.

MaleficentPush11442025-12-29 14:18

[Cinema Therapy has a great video about the conflict](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6yay3nL4Vw), and how the first two fantastic four movies demonstrated pretty harmful relationship styles, and how this ***new*** family shows healthy dynamics. It's quite eye opening, and shows great effort was put into the writing.

Educational-Tea-65722025-12-29 18:30

Thanks for sharing the video!

Christopher_Home2025-12-30 06:23

Comic characters, even tho they're supposed to be good guys, are not usually really good people and mostly very flawed. There are exceptions like Superman or Captain America, but for the most part, they're awful people.

NocturnoOcculto2025-12-30 08:22

I loved the scene where Ben told Reed he was at peace with his change and it wasn’t his fault. I was so glad they didn’t ham fist that into the story. It would have been like watching Uncle Ben die again. They did such a good job of condensing the teams story.

CaptHayfever2025-12-29 09:41

It's honestly the tone that I've kinda always wanted FF to be, but never got in their previous movies or in the 90s cartoon.

dibidi2025-12-29 10:11

that's why i didn't like it. it felt like every one was just sleep walking the entire time. no acting at all. just reading lines in monotone

Burningbeard6962025-12-29 10:27

It was a very safe movie, which I get given all the awful versions of the F4 there have been, but I didn't love it as much as I hoped I would.

ContentAssumption2042025-12-29 18:13

It really is the Superman Returns of FF movies.

After_Dig_75792025-12-29 19:27

Safe how?

BatmanForever232025-12-29 22:00

Doesn't make many (if any) risks, sticks closely to the standard MCU formula and structure, etc. If you strip away the window dressing of being set in a different universe, I feel like I've seen the main story beats and act structure half a dozen times at least.

Not inherently saying that's good or bad, I enjoy the standard formula, but with a completely fresh sandpit (i.e. Earth 828) I think that something a lot more creative could've been done. Makes sense to stick very closely to what's known to get a decent reception though, given the F4's cinematic history.

After_Dig_75792025-12-30 04:09

You didn't really explain much. What's the formula.

BatmanForever232025-12-30 10:21

I explained plenty, you just don't understand. Most MCU films share a pretty similar structure and formula:

*Hero(es) introduced in a happy status quo; ominous bad guy introduced (sometimes with optional dangerous object/sidekick); first conflict, which disrupts status quo of main characters; inner turmoil of main characters; second battle, bad guy makes substantial gains; main characters gear up or make an important choice; final battle, looks dark for a moment but works out in the end with no losses on the heroes' side; humorous denouement/post-credits scene; plenty of quips and jokes sprinkled throughout.*

F4 basically had everything that almost every other MCU origin story also has - again, not saying that's inherently bad, but with a different Earth and villain like Galactus.. it could've been truly different.

Gilded-Mongoose2025-12-29 21:02

Right. I found it...decent. It was well done, no real issues except the baby CGI and the NPC background crowds.

But it didn't...thrill me. I'm not intrigued enough by the movie or any particular moments enough to return to it.

eltrotter2025-12-29 10:41

That’s a good description and is exactly what I liked about it, but also why I think it maybe didn’t make much of an impact on people.

To me First Steps felt *genuinely* grown-up in its tone. Not gritty or “adult” but self-assured in the confidence that it had something meaningful to offer.

kbean8262025-12-29 21:12

Absolutely this, and thus felt exactly like the F4 to me. I had mentioned in another place and got shit for it, but the F4 are adventurers and scientists that HAPPEN into action, instead of someone like Peter Parker who is an action hero that wanders into larger adventures sometimes.

itsRobbie_2025-12-29 11:06

My biggest complaint was that the movie just didn’t have any oomph to it. So I’d agree lol. I still liked it though

Sad_Animator16862025-12-29 11:13

I’m looking forward to seeing these characters interact with the main MCU universe. The FF universe felt sanitised and sterile, almost cartoon like (just look at the rogues gallery seen and mentioned before Galactus shows up).

So the understatement of their reactions fit. They live in a polished world where they run out once a week and punch mole-man or whoever in the nose, then become friends with him and go on a TV show to get applauded.

What on earth will they make of, say, punisher??

Just-Charge-34282025-12-29 16:46

Or Deadpool?

juniormantis2025-12-29 14:02

I get what you mean it's nothing special and it should have been. Undercooked.

Although the scene with Johnny Storm and Shalla Bal in space made me cry that was the only moment that hit me emotionally. Seeing Galactus on screen for the first time was kinda underwhelming too. Is it silly to say he wasn't purple enough?

Obskuro2025-12-29 18:21

>Is it silly to say he wasn't purple enough?

...you know what, I think you're right? Which is odd, given that the rest of this world is so much brighter than the main MCU. I guess they were afraid to make him look silly.

AlexitoPornConsumer2025-12-29 14:37

So basically a bland movie. Well, it’s not a sin to like a bland movie though.

invaderdavos2025-12-29 14:46

Its a nothing burger

Previous_Buy16012025-12-29 15:28

I love the visual style, and I thought the actors nailed it. But my god, the first act is so terribly edited, it doesn’t have any actual scenes. It’s THIS happens, and then THIS happens, and then THIS happens, etc with the score just bopping along in the background. It feels like watching a newsreel. There’s no sense of rhythm or letting anything breathe. A more solid first third of the movie would have helped a lot IMO.

CheapTactics2025-12-29 15:34

I thought it was kind of mid.

WORTHLESS13212020192025-12-29 15:47

It's a different universe from 616 so they will be different

LTM4382025-12-29 15:53

Y'know what? That's a really great point. All four of them are really professional. They've been doing this for a while, they worked out the kinks, got Johnny to calm down, if in fact he ever was the brash hothead we often know him as. It's nice to see superheroes who have it all together like they do.

SpaceOperaMan2025-12-29 15:59

It was released in July. It has nothing to do with the holidays. But to me, it's a Christmas movie. It's cozy.

TheHudIsUp2025-12-29 16:35

The Midtastic 4

Ozymandias122025-12-29 16:53

I wish they would have done more to play up the cosmic horror of a being like Galactus, in particular when he arrived on earth

StealthySteve2025-12-29 17:02

Sue giving birth was in all caps

patrick1192025-12-29 17:03

I think that goes along with the style/setting of the film. There is no need to panic because they live in a world where they can solve any problem they encounter.

I’m looking forward to seeing them interact with the 616 universe. Where the world doesn’t usually band together to solve problems and not everybody will listen to reason. It will be a different kind of problem for them to face.

MR11202025-12-29 17:31

I think a lot of it is that the FF are already so established in that universe. They’re household names and seasoned adventurers, with a well-known history and recurring enemies. So much of what they deal with is old-hat to them, and I think that works well, as opposed to more rookie heroes. “Oh, Mad Thinker is doing something? Ok, we got this.” “Space travel through a wormhole? Yep, no problem.” It’s almost a “For me, it was Tuesday” thing, which was actually refreshing. And then realizing that Galactus wasn’t the kind of thing they had ever encountered before was a good twist.

RockHardMapleSyrup2025-12-29 17:59

My partners only complaint was "they needed all those resources for the bridges, and everyone around the world just co-operated? This really is an alternative universe."

I liked the film. It was chill.

Routine-Specialist-12025-12-29 17:53

One of my favorite podcasts has a term for this, they call it a "hangover movie". Something to watch that's not gonna irritate too many senses while you're hungover.

ScottTheMonster2025-12-29 20:15

What surprised me was how they gave Johnny Storm a brain. He's normally childish and reckless.

xyzsomething2025-12-29 20:24

I didn’t like the movie 🤷 not much else to say

chromeshiel2025-12-30 01:16

I loved the movie. Then again, I also love the Eternals. Both appeal to quieter stories that I personally enjoy.

I wish Marvel would continue exploring these, but the box office results make me doubtful.

ivigilanteblog2025-12-30 01:31

Another exception: Johnny was getting pretty intense when confronting the Silver Surfer in the city. But in general, yeah, I agree with this post.

Agreeable_Car51142025-12-30 06:36

Yeah it just kinda… passed. It wasn’t boring, but no part of it made an impact. I can easily describe the plot to you, but can’t picture a frame that wasn’t in the trailer or recall an emotion it made me feel.

rekzkarz2025-12-30 07:16

Its like they sucked all the tension and excitement out?

Also, the notion that Reed (genius?) would tell the Earth
- FF4 failed
- Galactus wanted their son, so they said no, destroy the Earth

...
And he thought humanity wouldn't immediately kill them to give the baby over -- that was a lack of awareness about humanity.

Which bothered me the whole film. Isnt poverty when humanity abandons someone for no reason except greed and selfishness? The idea that so many geniuses die without any opportunity to reach their potential is poverty.

We live in that world now, maybe its not the FF4's dimension??

Paladar22025-12-30 11:34

I thought the movie was lifeless honestly

IjazSSJ32025-12-30 11:46

I dont know i hear a lot of yelling, but then again that was just me going "FANTASTIC FOOUUUURRRR"

Diligent-Math16662026-01-01 06:10

Just an incredibly boring Hallmark family movie, no action at all.

IntelligentResolve892026-01-02 05:41

what are you talking about??? there is an impending doom nearly the entire film in a universe we know next to nothing about